Voting and Kids

My mom took me every year and I am now taking my son with me. I feel voting is such an important civic duty and I want my son to take it seriously.

We were never allowed to go into the voting booth when we were kids. We got to go to the polling place, but never ever into the booth. Voting is private. It is extremely important that they know that voting is important, but they also need to know that voting is private. Bring them with you, but leave them outside the booth.
LBC

I have always taken my children to vote. I even went so far as to allow my son (he was 9 at the time) to push the submit button with me when I voted in the last Presidential election. Obviously you need to be in control and make sure they aren't pushing buttons in the booth (unless you tell them they can) or making noise or disrupting. As a military family we make sure our children see the process so they understand exactly what their dad is fighting for. Our kids have been to political rallies and demonstrations for the same reasons. If we don't teach them about their civic duties they may never learn, most public schools no longer offer civics classes.

I don't know what kind of booth you have. Ours is a curtain that hangs down to about waist height. I've always brought my children. They stand next to me. I think it's great you want to bring them. My children ask about the candidates when they hear them on the tv.

Good luck,
M.D.

I'm in MD and I've taken my son with me since he was a baby. He was 7 in the presidential elections and they were fine with him coming with me. Its a great learning experience for them. Of course we discuss what voting means prior to us getting there.

I always take my kids with me to vote. They go to the booth with me as well to see how it all works. On another note, I always take them with me to pay my registration & ticket too. They have been with me when I have received a ticket for expired registration - I figure if they were with me when I got the ticket, it would be helpful for them to see me pay it too. Plus, my oldest son nagged me until it got paid - he asked what the due date as was on my rear end until that date :)

Getting your kids into the habit of voting is a great idea. Do you have early voting in your area? Maybe the early polling place would let you bring your kids to give them a lesson in citizenship when it is not quite so busy. Our voting booths do not have curtains anymore, but are computerized units with partitions between each unit for privacy so you don't actually go into a booth, so I don't know if they will let your kids stand with you, since they would be in an area with other voters as well. I don't know what the current rules are (and I have a feeling that it differs from location to location but I would often take my kids to the polling place to watch me vote. (and they usually got a flag sticker that said i voted. Good luck !

I always took my kids to the polls. I have not heard that you cant.... but I guess you should find that out. That would be a shame if it's the case.
If the kids are being disruptive I'd say a quick exit would be appropriate for this venue. If they have changed the law it would be because of some mom that decided a screaming child in the polling place is her right.
Oops, better stop before I go to a dark place.
Kudos to you for exercising your right to vote ;)

I always went with my mom and brought my baby myself. I didn't even think not too. With timing with work, etc., last time they weren't there, but only because it didn't make logistical sense. I would take them anytime I vote if they were with me. This time though, I am absentee balloting, so maybe I should check as they are getting older for next time.

My husband and I take our kids, usually it is pretty fast we are in and out in a few min usually becasue the volunteers are bored and they talk to our kids. We take our kids in and have never had a problem. We have the kind of booths with a curtain.

Call your local voting precinct and ask them, but I don't know of any such rule or regulation. In fact, I'm pretty sure that would violate some laws because everyone is supposed to be able to have the right and time to go vote (and a lot of SAHMs wouldn't get that chance child-free). That's why there are so many precincts, they're open for so long, AND your employer MUST allow you time to go vote. I've always taken my kids.

I agree with all of the moms except the one who said not to let them in the booth with you. It's not as if they're strangers to you. You can tell them voting is private and explain why. But it's not as if you've got something to hide from them. I, also, have had my kids involved since they were in strollers and before they could walk. My kids LOVED going to the polls and watching me vote (I also let them punch some of the holes). I also made a copy of my ealry ballot when they were young and we went over each candidate and what they believed etc. What a great experince for your kids! Go for it! Keep them involved. My oldest is 19 and can't wait to vote nexxt week!

I also live in MD. The age limit varies by county. I have always taken my son with me to vote. As my mom took me every time she voted. Since we home school, this is an important lesson in civics and different issues on the ballot. My son was disappointed this year, as he couldn't go with me into the booth, as he is above the age limit. You can call you local jurisdiction and ask.
L.

I voted in Maryland yesterday and noticed a sign that said children up to age 12 are allowed in the voting booth with you.

We were never allowed in the booth with my parents when we would go with them. We had to stand right outside of it. I will be taking my 3 yr old with me though I don't really have a choice.

As far as I know, there is no rule against bringing kids with you. I agree, it's really important for kids to feel part of the process.

I always took my children, and now if I have a grandchild with me, they go too. I let them put the ballot into the scanner, and they usually are given a sticker.